As young Black boys, we are taught to live above the standard. Never give “them” a reason to suspect malicious activity from you. We are taught to smile and suppress our “negative” emotion so as to not be labeled an angry Black man. We are taught to remain calm even in the face of danger from those who are supposed…
Tag: #blackboys
Making Graduation a Priority for Black Boys Is Celebrating Black History!
Black male educators are working hard to ensure that more Black boys are walking across graduation stages and not leaving high school without a diploma. The school to prison pipeline is a sad reality for many Black and brown youth targeted by the criminal justice system. Yet, for the last several years, it seems the roadblocks are prevailing. Black boys…
Black Children With Disabilities Are Being Shamed In Public Schools!
Being “different” has never been acceptable to conservative Americans. The perceptions and ideals we have in our society don’t make it easier for those who have physical and learning disabilities. Teachers make their experiences even more challenging, and it begins at school. Let’s try looking at the experience of Black children who have special needs differently. They, too, are overlooked…
We Need Black Boys to Drop Guns, Not Classes!
In honor of National Family Engagement Month, I’m empowering our Black boys to drop guns, not classes! This is a real conversation our community needs to have right now . Families and educators need to be on the same page about gun control laws and policies on gun regulation. It’s up to us to protect our children. Guns and Black…
Lockers to Lockdown; Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline
Gwinnett SToPP in collaboration with the End Mass Incarceration Georgia Network held an amazing event this past Saturday, “From Lockers to Lockdown: Educate Students, Stop Arrests.” Ending mass incarceration starts with dismantling the school to prison pipeline. Advocacy against mass incarceration isn’t being championed by Gwinnett SToPP alone. Rev. Warnock and T.I. have joined forces to address the issue in…
A Million Black Fathers Marching for Zion
It may seem like a cliche, but a million Black fathers marching streets across America for their Black sons is empowering. But it’s not simply a cliche, it’s a nationwide movement of Black males doing something different to change the rate of Black boys being successful. Fathers Incorporated , a non profit organization in Atlanta, Georgia. is not only changing…
Requiring Students to Walk in Straight Lines; A Punitive Measure or Effective Management?
Recently in a teacher training the topic of walking in straight lines came up during the discussion about classroom management. I was very surprised at the responses. Traditionally, teachers have been champions of having children walk in a straight line. “We’ve been under a long impression of tradition and knowledge of what works with “managing” children,” says one veteran teacher…